A 2001 Ferrari F2001 driven by Michael Schumacher to his fifth and final Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix victory will be on offer at the Sotheby’s Contemporary Art auction in New York on 16 November 2017. RM Sotheby’s expects the Ferrari to sell for well in excess of $4 million.

Sotheby’s Contemporary Art New York 2017 Sale

In a rare move by RM Sotheby’s, the 2001 Monaco F1 Grand Prix winning Ferrari F2001 will be offered at Sotheby’s Contemporary Art Evening Auction on 16 November 2017 in New York.

Selling such an important racing car at a Sotheby’s art auction is partly explained by describing the F2001 as perhaps the ultimate iteration of “useable art” but it is somewhat surprising that a race-winning Ferrari driven by Michael Schumacher was not offered at the Ferrari-Maranello sale or RM Sotheby’s own New York Icons sale in December 2017.

The Ferrari will be on view from 28 September to 3 October 2017 during Sotheby’s Hong Kong Autumn Sales week. Following this display, the car will return to New York, where it will be on view in advance of the Contemporary Art Evening Auction.

2001 Ferrari F2001, Chassis 211

The 2001 Ferrari F2001, chassis no. 211, on offer at the Sotheby’s New York Contemporary Art sale 2018, was driven by Michael Schumacher in three Grand Prix races during the 2001 Formula 1 season.

Most significantly, Michael Schumacher drove this Ferrari F2001 to victory at the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo in 2001. This was the final of Schumacher’s five Monaco Grand Prix victories. A Ferrari driver would only won this race again in 2017.

Michael Schumacher also won the Hungarian Grand Prix in this 2001 Ferrari F2001, chassis no. 211. With this victory, Schumacher clinched his fourth (of eventually seven) Formula 1 World Driver’s Championship with four races to spare. This was his second championship (of five) with Ferrari and secured Ferrari its 11th Constructor’s Championship.

RM Sotheby’s Ferrari F2001 Announcement

The ultimate culmination of the Sotheby’s and RM Sotheby’s partnership, the presentation of the F2001 represents the first time a collector car will be offered at a Sotheby’s art auction since the two companies joined forces in February 2015. Contemporary Art is a dynamic combination of materials, methods, concepts and subjects that challenge traditional boundaries, in much the same way as the Ferrari F2001 with its extraordinary combination of design and balance. The offering of a car of this unparalleled historical significance at one of the most important Contemporary Art sales of the year will bring together collectors of the world’s most sought-after pieces in both categories.

Grégoire Billault, Head of Sotheby’s Contemporary Art, New York, commented: “We are pleased to join Ferrari’s 70th anniversary celebrations by offering Michael Schumacher’s Grand Prix winning Ferrari F2001 in November. Ferrari and Schumacher are the greatest names in motor-racing, with a place in the public imagination that is synonymous with the highest achievements in the field. It is therefore entirely fitting that we offer the car that represents the pinnacle of that success alongside the great names in Contemporary Art such as Warhol, Basquiat, and Johns.”

“The Ferrari F2001 we are unveiling in Hong Kong is one of the most important and valuable modern Formula 1 race cars in history,” says Ken Ahn, President, RM Sotheby’s. “This very car secured Ferrari their 11th of a record 15 Formula One Constructors’ Championships and Michael Schumacher his fourth of an unmatched seven Drivers’ Championships, placing it among the best of the best in the world of motorsport. It is our great pleasure to offer this car during Ferrari’s 70th anniversary year, a year in which the legendary marque also won its first Monaco Grand Prix since Schumacher secured his final Monaco victory in 2001 in chassis 211. Fresh on the heels of our highly successful sale with Ferrari at their anniversary celebrations in Maranello, the unveiling of the F2001 in Hong Kong and its presentation in New York this November not only represent the first time RM Sotheby’s has displayed or offered a motor car as part of a Sotheby’s art sale, but also further evidence of RM Sotheby’s leadership in the market for important Ferraris at auction.”

The F2001, perhaps the ultimate iteration of “useable art”, can still today be piloted in historic racing and at full capability. Ferrari can house the car in Maranello and transport it worldwide for pre-arranged Corse Clienti events as well as private track days, where the next caretaker can enjoy the unique thrill of the car at speed in addition to tutelage from Ferrari’s own Formula 1 technicians, mechanics and test drivers. The opportunity to acquire a Ferrari Formula 1 car that has been driven by Michael Schumacher does not arise often. A race-winning example is truly special, but a car that won two Grand Prixes and led the greatest Formula 1 driver and the most successful Formula 1 manufacturer to two World Championship titles is nothing short of sensational.

Le Mans Winning 1964 Ferrari 275 P

The Ferrari F2001 will not be the only race-winning Ferrari on offer in coming months. Artcurial has recently announced that the Le Mans winning 1964 Ferrari 275 P will be on offer at the 2018 Paris Rétromobile classic car auction in February 2018.

RM Sotheby’s is also likely to offer some spectacular cars at the RM Sotheby’s New York – Icons sale in December.

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